TAMPA – After talking to Dr. Lewis Yochum yesterday, GM Brian Cashman said there was no reason for Johnny Damon to leave Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, at least not before the U.S. was eliminated.

“He can do everything but play defense,” Cashman said before Team USA’s 2-1 loss to Mexico last night. “He can pinch-hit and pinch-run.”

The Yankees’ center fielder/leadoff hitter’s left shoulder has been invaded by tendinitis while a member of the USA’s WBC club. He pinch-ran for Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning last night.

Yocum examined Damon on Monday in California.

Damon, along with Derek Jeter and Rodriguez, soon will return to Yankees camp after the upset defeat.

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The Yankees dropped two games yesterday and are 7-10. The Astros scored four runs in the seventh off Tanyon Sturtze to erase a 4-3 deficit and win, 10-5, at Legends Field. In Lakeland, the Tigers copped a 4-3 win when they held the Yankees to five singles. Hideki Matsui hit his first spring homer at Legends and Chien-Ming Wang didn’t allow an earned run in four innings (two unearned).

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Yesterday, Joe Torre said Jorge Posada was being scratched from the lineup against the Astros due to chills and a fever, but Torre expected the catcher to make the two-game trip to Jupiter. Later in the day, Posada said he wasn’t going to Jupiter. “He was sick [Wednesday] and we took him off the trip,” Cashman said.

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Bernie Williams was slated to arrive in Tampa last night from the WBC, but he won’t join the Yankees until Sunday at the earliest.

“He will work out at the minor-league complex while we are [in Jupiter],” Cashman said. “I can’t say [if Williams will play Sunday]. He has been out of our hands.”

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Sturtze says his shoulder is fine but his mechanics “are bad right now.” Sturtze gave up four runs, four hits, walked one and hit two in one inning vs. the Astros . . . Mariano Rivera navigated an inning against the Astros and needed 20 pitches. Rivera said he could be ready for back-to-back performances shortly . . . The Yankees optioned pitchers Matt DeSalvo and Jeffrey Karstens to Columbus (Triple-A) yesyerday.

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Scott Proctor was back at work yesterday after spending Tuesday night in a hospital due to food poisoning. Proctor said he ate sushi Sunday at a restaurant and became ill during drills Tuesday. He was released Wednesday.

“I am feeling better, the main thing is to throw [today],” said Proctor, who was being eyed as a Triple-A starter but could open in the Yankees’ pen.